Durango confirms partnership with Villeneuve Racing

Durango, a GP2 team who have submitted an entry to the 2011 F1 World Championship, have announced that they are entering a partnership with another potential entrant, Villeneuve Racing. As the name suggests, this plan was started by 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.

The Italian Durango team had applied for a grid spot months ago, but there were large obstacles in their way. They didn’t even have enough money to stay afloat in GP2, and there have been many controversies about the team, who are currently under investigation for criminal tax evasion, and also badly and dangerously repaired their GP2 cars in 2006. (More in a separate article)

However, it is unclear what Villeneuve and his original plan will bring to the table. His manager, Rick Gorne, was one of the founders of BAR, and that seems about it. After looking for a drive with Stefan GP last year, it is possible that he could drive for Durango, provided they get the spot, as well as run it.

Little is known about this combined plan. Durango’s base will still be in Italy, and they have talked to Toyota about a technical partnership, like Stefan GP did last year. Also, Dallara could be a possibility for supplying the chassis.

Still, Durango looks like a dodgy choice for the 2011 spot. I’m currently writing a separate article on all of the new applicants, more on this story soon.

One response to “Durango confirms partnership with Villeneuve Racing”

Don’t do it Jacques! All you need to do is look through the history books: Surtees, Hill, Fittipaldi, Prost and Stewart have all failed for one reason or another. Only Jack Brabham has managed to pull this sort of thing off (to my knowledge).
My British GP post is up…finally.